Worms on a "Crimson King" Maple

The "Crimson King" Maple (Acer platanoides) is a tree of European origin. Pests are not normally a major problem with the maple tree. This is especially true when it is planted in a healthy growing environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 7. The average healthy "Crimson King" Maple stands 35 to 50 feet tall, with an average width of 25 to 40 feet. The tree foliage varies from dark red to purple with small greenish yellow spring blooms. There are several different types of worms that can cosmetically affect the appearance of your tree.

Types of Worms

The most common type of worm threats to the "Crimson King" Maple are the tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) and the cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata and Alsophila pometaria). All three worm types have one thing in common. They are leaf eaters that can destroy the foliage on your tree. Worm infestation will not altogether kill your "Crimson King" Maple. However, extensive defoliation will stunt your tree's growth. This is especially true if the tree is defoliated for two consecutive years.

Tent Caterpillars

Tent caterpillars are easy to spot; they crawl on the surface of the tree, on the leaves and on the bark. When tent caterpillars attack your "Crimson King" Maple, silk-like nests appear between the limbs of the tree. Unless there is a large tent of caterpillars on your "Crimson King" Maple, you may find it easier to just remove them by hand. Use the end of a stick to scrape away and remove the tent. For large tents, it is best to use an insecticide or horticultural oil. Spray insecticide on the top of the tree limbs and underneath the bottom of the leaves. Also inject some of the insecticide into the soil that surrounds the base of the tree.

European Gypsy Moths

The gypsy moth is black and hairy when the larvae first hatch. The moth later turns yellow or gray, with bristle-like hairs. Adult male moths are brown. Female moths are white. The best way to detect whether your "Crimson King" Maple has a gypsy moth infestation is to place a pheromone trap on your tree. The pheromone trap attracts the moths to a sticky glue-like substance. Pheromone traps can be purchased from your local garden supply, as well as in the pest control department of many department stores and supermarkets. If you notice moths stuck in your pheromone trap, report the infestation to your state's hotline or information line for such infestations, if there is one in place. For example, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CFDA) is responsible for responding to and treating the problem in that state. To contact the CDFA, call the toll-free pest hotline at (800) 491-1899.

Cankerworms

Cankerworms are also known as inch worms, due to how they inch along when crawling. There are two different categories of cankerworms that feed on the "Crimson King" Maple, the fall cankerworm and the spring cankerworm. The fall cankerworm usually appears between October and December, or after the first hard freeze of the year. The spring cankerworm usually appears in the early spring. Symptoms of cankerworm infestation includes small holes on the leaves of your tree. If the cankerworms are adults, your entire leaf is eaten, with only the leaf vein remaining behind. To get rid of the cankerworms, treat your "Crimson King" Maple with an insecticide right when the eggs begin to hatch. The cankerworm eggs hatch in mid-spring during the same time as elm buds.

About the Author

Faizah Imani, an educator, minister and published author, has worked with clients such as Harrison House Author, Thomas Weeks III, Candle Of Prayer Company and "Truth & Church Magazine." Her dossier includes JaZaMM WebDesigns, assistant high-school band director, district manager for the Clarion Ledger and event coordinator for the Vicksburg Convention Center.